Posted on Jul 16, 2020 at 6:45 p.m.Updated Jul 16, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson left the NBA “bubble” in Orlando on Thursday to deal with an urgent family medical problem, the club said in a statement.
“We fully support Zion’s decision to leave the NBA campus to be with his family,” said David Griffin, executive vice president of the Pelicans.
No details were given on the nature of the medical problem, on the members of his family concerned or on his possible return schedule.
“Out of respect for the Williamson family, we will not be making any further comments at this time,” said David Griffin.
Williamson will have to take Covid-19 exams and return to quarantine to his hotel room upon his return before he can join his teammates.
The strong winger, who turned 20 10 days ago, became the rising star of the NBA in his first season, despite a right knee injury that delayed his big debut until January and then the pandemic of coronavirus which ended the season prematurely on March 11.
First pick in the 2019 draft, Williamson became the first under-20 player in NBA history to score 20 or more points in 10 straight games, averaging 23.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists this season.
NBA players train in a quarantine atmosphere at Disney World in Orlando (Florida), where they are scheduled to play the end of the season behind closed doors starting July 30.
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